How To Host a Virtual Holiday Party

With COVID-19 making the traditional holiday party impossible, here are 5 simple ideas that will help you have a fantastic virtual event. Don't let working remotely spoil your holiday fun. Wrap up the year on a high-note with an awesome virtual celebration!

PRE-PARTY

1. Branding 101 – to prevent this from feeling like yet another Zoom meeting, have a great title for the event and send a formal email invitation to set a special tone right up front.

2. Special Delivery – send each team member a box containing the following holiday party supplies. Note in the email invite that they should expect to receive this, and NOT to open it until the party begins.

• SNACKS – throw in a little sweet and a little savoury to satisfy everyone’s taste buds

• DRINKS – to prepare everyone for a festive toast, consider including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options (considering time of day, coffee or tea may be appropriate as well)

• GIFT – wrap these separately so everyone can open them up together (gift cards and books mail quite nicely)

• CARD – take the time to include a personal note for each team member

THE PARTY

1. Icebreaker – Guess the Christmas Song!

• Go to this YouTube video and have this video ready to share (i.e. skip past the ads)

• Tell your team to have their “Chat” feature open and to submit their guesses for each song

• Comment on who is the fastest with the correct answer for each song

• NOTE – when sharing video in Zoom, be sure to click the “share computer sound” box

2. Game #1 - A to Z Scavenger Hunt

Using Zoom breakouts, divide your large team into small groups of 4-5 people

The Challenge:

• To be the team who can find an item for every letter of the alphabet

• Team members can only use items found in the room they are currently in

• Each team must appoint someone to keep track of their answers

• Each item can only be used once

• Each team only needs one item per letter of the alphabet (not one item per team member) 

• Give small groups up to 10 minutes to complete this challenge

The Results:

• Find out how many teams found an item of all 26 letters

• Ask each team to report back on their most unique item(s)

3. Game #2 – Trivia Challenge

• Have some competitive fun using an online trivia site such at Trivia Maker or Kahoot

• Both of these options have great pre-formatted games that are themed and ready to go - or you can take a bit of time to customize a game for a personal touch

4. Team Connection - Depending on the size of your team, personal connection can be difficult. To overcome this challenge, use Zoom breakouts to divide your team into small groups of 3 or 4 people and chat about any of the following questions (or some questions of your own):

• Best Christmas gift you’ve ever received

• Favourite holiday tradition

• What holiday movie or special do you watch over and over again

• Most interesting place (or way) you’ve celebrated the holidays in the past

• The one thing you’re most grateful for this holiday season

• The thing you’re most looking forward to in 2021

5. Closing – Before you wrap up, take time for everyone to open their gift and comment on why you selected this gift. Follow this up with some words of encouragement, and a toast to your team. Be sure to have your Zoom view in “gallery” mode and do a screen capture of everyone raising a glass.

POST-PARTY

1. Follow Up – The day after your event, send out an email thanking everyone for attending. Be sure to include the photo of the team raising a glass.

PS - Reach out to us anytime to explore how one of our 1-hour virtual teambuilding programs can take your holiday party to the next level!